An Expat Talks about Retiring in Mazatlan, Mexico

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Mazatlan

Why did you choose to retire abroad?

Cost of living

Are you retired abroad all year or part of the year?

all year

Why did you choose the country you retired to?

easy access to US

Did you ever live abroad before you retired abroad?

No

How long have you lived abroad since you retired abroad?

13 years

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

How many countries (other than your home country) have you lived in as a retiree?

None

What have been the most challenging aspects of being retired abroad?

Paying annual bills, like fideicomisos, property taxes, renewing license plates, car taxes, etc. It seems to be different every year!

What have been the most rewarding aspects of being retired abroad?

Access to the beach, meeting fellow retirees, getting to know my neighbors

What would you do differently if you were just starting the retire abroad process?

I would rent for a year while looking for property to buy (We bought immediately). I'm very happy with our house and neighborhood, but we just got lucky!

What is life like for a retiree in your city and its surroundings? (Is there an active expat community? Cultural Attractions? Recreation? Nightlife?)

Mazatlan has all of the above! It is a retiree's dream (when you take Covid out of the picture)!

What residency documents or visas did you need to obtain to retire in your host country? How difficult was this process? (Please describe)

When we moved here, we needed to get an FM3 visa, now known as Residente Temporal. It was very easy to get in 2008, but more difficult now. I think the financial requirements are more than is necessary, and we would not qualify if we were starting now.

Did you buy a home or apartment, or rent one? Is this a difficult process? (Please describe)

We bought a house. It was not easy, but with a good realtor and notario not impossible. Living near the coastline, we had to purchase a fideicomiso (bank trust) and that was expensive.

Financially, has living abroad in your host country met your expectations? Exceeded them?

While things were not as cheap as I'd heard, we are able to live a nice life on our income. We DID pick a popular city on the coast, so prices are higher here than in smaller towns.

What are the most important financial considerations for retiring to your host country?

Being aware of the financial requirements (minimum income).

How much can a retiree live on comfortably in your host country?

$1,500 a month for a single, $2500 a month for a couple. Less if you go to a smaller town.

Do you have access to quality medical care? (Please describe - is it close? Expensive?)

Medical care here is excellent and reasonable. For most things, it is possible to pay out-of-pocket, but it's good to have some sort of health insurance for catastrophes.

Welcome Home Mexico
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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home Mexico

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Is there a lot of crime where you live? (Please describe)

There is a lot of crime here, but we see very little of it, as the "tourist" areas a somewhat sheltered from it. We don't have a lot of trouble with pickpockets or muggings. We were robbed in our house one night, but our house had a vulnerable window and it was a crime of opportunity. We have secured that window and have had no more trouble in the past 10+ years. There is some amount of problem with people stealing copper pipes and wires from roofs.

Describe available transportation where you live. Do you need a car? Is there access to safe public transportation?

We have a car, and it is nice to have for shopping, but not really necessary. Buses and taxis are very reasonable.

Is there high-speed internet access where you live?

Yes

Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about retiring abroad?

Covid has really dampened our enjoyment of our new home, but I guess it has everywhere! We are fortunate not to have to work, and can stay home except for essential trips and walking for outdoor exercise. But what a beautiful place to walk!